Freeware

Vivaldi, a Web browser now in tech preview, caters to power users who expect more from their browsers, letting them interact with content in new and exciting ways. Created by former Opera developers, Vivaldi is built on Chromium, the same platform used for Google Chrome, Comodo Dragon, and, of course, Opera.

On the surface, Vivaldi looks similar to other browsers, but a plethora of tools lie beneath that unassuming interface. Here are our six favorites.

Speed Dial

Customize your start page with Speed Dial, a popular feature started by Opera and the star attraction in Vivaldi. This iteration is incorporated … Read more

How is your workout working out? Lots of apps provide routines and fitness tracking, but those are no use if you're not motivated to get off the couch and keep going. We've run through fitness apps and have picked seven that will get you into the gym or out for a long jog or a bike ride, because there's nothing like music, scenery, and friendly competition to energize you.

Meeting people is easy, but meeting the right person is challenging. If you're finding too many Ms. or Mr. Wrongs, then you probably just haven't met the right app yet. We've screened dating apps and have picked our top 7, paired with personality profiles, so you can find your app match.

If you're looking for a lasting relationship, then Match.com is for you. Why else would you pay for a plan that runs from $21.99 to $129.99? This beautifully designed app features robust profiles, and if you pay … Read more

We all dread tax time: hunting for receipts and statements, figuring out which forms we need, decrypting IRS instructions, and carving out time to go through it all. In tax preparation as in health matters, prevention is the best medicine, so we've compiled 10 apps to give you a jump-start on filing, helping you track finances year-round and get maximum refunds for minimum effort.

Every February, Punxsatawney Phil forecasts whether spring is coming (this week's verdict: more winter). But for most of us, Groundhog Day is about the movie, with Bill Murray's weatherman suffering the same day over and over again -- 12,403 times by one super-fan's estimate -- because we can relate to the frustration of doing the same things day after day. We have yet to see an app that will free you from a time loop, but these six picks will relieve the tedium of repetitive tasks. And if you can't get "I Got You … Read more

Don't let Deflategate take the air out of your Super Bowl. On February 1, eight-time Super Bowl contenders the New England Patriots and returning champions the Seattle Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl XLIX. If you're looking for breaking news and scores, party tips, or free swag, these apps can amplify your Super Bowl Sunday.

If you have a high-speed connection and a participating TV provider, then you can watch the Super Bowl on the NBC Sports Live Extra app on your iPad. You also get on-demand clips, full event replays, and … Read more

Tears for Fears' chart-topping, career-defining "Songs From the Big Chair" turns 30 this year. To mark the pearl anniversary of the album that spawned "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," "Shout," and "Head Over Heels " the band is releasing a rebooted super deluxe version, as well as a six-disc box set featuring remixes, B-sides, and nine previously unreleased tracks. Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal, who are currently working on a new album due later this year, talked to me about "Songs From the Big Chair," their breakup and makeup, the … Read more

Do you picture yourself as an iPhone filmmaker, an Android auteur? In awards season, we sit back and critique other people's films, and if those Golden Globes and Oscar nominees have inspired or irritated you -- or if you simply want to level up from shooting home videos -- take a shot at making your own movie. We've scouted nine affordable, time-saving, feature-rich apps to help you script, storyboard, shoot, and edit.

Tommy Savas costars on NBC series "State of Affairs," which follows a CIA briefing team that analyzes the most vital security issues facing the nation. I chatted with Savas about working opposite Katherine Heigl, his time on "The Sopranos," and his favorite apps.

You're working with an amazing cast on "State of Affairs." How would you describe Katherine Heigl? Katherine is an unbelievable person. She's amazing. I've never worked on a new show before where one of your costars is also an executive producer. It is an awesome dynamic, actually, because … Read more

Each new year brings new opportunities to quit vices like smoking and binge drinking and to cut back on indulgences like excessive carb intake, online shopping sprees, and food deliveries. Begin a journey toward better health and wealth in 2015 with these seven apps.

Quit smoking

QuitNow (iOS, Android) Smoking causes one in five US deaths, according to the American Heart Association. The good news is that quitting is possible. Ease withdrawal with QuitNow, a highly personalized app that tracks the minutes since your last smoke, the number of cigarettes you've avoided, and the amount of money and time … Read more